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faculty
Jennifer Mulnix, PhD
Professor
Philosophy
Education
| 2006 | University of Iowa | PhD |
| 2004 | University of Iowa | MA |
| 1999 | University of Nebraska-Omaha, | BA |
Teaching
Programs
Programs
Courses
Exploration of what it means to be human. This course will sample insights into ourselves from the unraveling of the human genome to the uncovering of the earliest evidence of distinctively human culture. Topics could include human consciousness, biomedical discoveries, defining human experiences, or the origins of human societies or belief sets. May be repeated with change of content.
An introduction to philosophy as the persistent and methodical attempt to think clearly about universal problems of human life, such as ways of knowing and studies in value.
An introduction to philosophy as the persistent and methodical attempt to think clearly about universal problems of human life, such as ways of knowing and studies in value.
A critical examination of normative theories of obligation and value. It includes philosophical examination of some moral problems including but not limited to: abortion, euthanasia, death penalty, gender and sexual orientation equality, pornography and censorship, violence, and economic injustice. Numerous ethical theories will be discussed, including but not limited to: Cultural Relativism, Ethical Subjectivism, Ethical Egoism, Divine Command Theory, Utilitarianism, Rights Theories, Kantianism, Social Contract Theory, and Feminist Ethics.
An examination of the ethical aspects of the health care professions and the impact of ethical issues on the professional's life. Topics include: responsibility, conscience, professional codes of ethics, privacy, informed consent, access to health care, loss and death.
Exploration of the nature of the good life. This course surveys historical and contemporary concepts of well-being as well as how these concepts relate to theories of happiness and theories of morality. The relationship between well-being and political and economic policy will also be examined from both a philosophical and scientific perspective.
Online and Continuing Education Courses
Exploration of the nature of the good life. This course surveys historical and contemporary concepts of well-being as well as how these concepts relate to theories of happiness and theories of morality. The relationship between well-being and political and economic policy will also be examined from both a philosophical and scientific perspective.
An introduction to philosophy as the persistent and methodical attempt to think clearly about universal problems of human life, such as ways of knowing and studies in value.
Register for this course.
Exploration of historical and contemporary concepts of happiness, as well as causes of happiness. This course examines the nature of happiness, surveying philosophical perspectives on happiness, as well as the likely causes of happiness, utilizing current scientific studies on happiness to help inform the philosophical theories discussed. Insights from positive psychology may also be explored.
Register for this course.
Research
Research interests
- Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Happiness, Critical Thinking, and Philosophical Pedagogy
- Ethics, Applied Ethics, Political Philosophy, History of Early Modern Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Asian Philosophy
Select publications
See curriculum vitae for more publications
- Mulnix, Jennifer Wilson, and M.J. Mulnix (2015).
Happy Lives, Good Lives: A Philosophical Examination - Mulnix, Jennifer Wilson, and M.J. Mulnix, eds. (2015).
Theories of Happiness: An Anthology - Mulnix, Jennifer Wilson (2013).
Reliabilism and Demon World Victims
Tópicos, 44, 35-82. - Mulnix, Jennifer Wilson (2012).
Rethinking the A Priori/A Posteriori Distinction
Logos & Episteme, 3(2), 261-277. - Mulnix, Jennifer Wilson (2012).
“Semantic Externalism, Self-Knowledge, and Slow Switching
Synthesis Philosophica, 26(2), 375-390.
Dr. Mulnix is a Professor of Philosophy, the Chair of the UMassD Philosophy Department, and President of the American Association of Philosophy Teachers. Most of her current research focuses on happiness and well-being. She is also interested in Buddhism as well as theories of knowledge and the mind. Dr. Mulnix has two published books (co-authored with M.J. Mulnix of Salem State University): Happy Lives, Good Lives: A Philosophical Examination and Theories of Happiness: An Anthology from Broadview Press. She loves philosophy, comedy, watching movies and sports, playing tennis, watercolor painting, and traveling around the world.